Delivering a second successive season of Champions League football to Old Trafford is van Gaal’s target, either via a top-four place or success in the Europa League, having guided his side to a last-16 tie with Liverpool.

LVG is fighting for an immediate return to the Champions League

But the Dutchman, a Champions League winner as manager of Ajax, is an advocate of the former European Cup format, replaced in 1992 when the Champions League was formed, and would oppose any different kind of European Super League being mooted by some clubs on the continent.

Van Gaal said: “Everybody knows when you follow my career that I am against the Super League and something like that.

“Sport is to be the best. When the Champions League was existing I said it was rubbish because the first and second and third and fourth team is also playing.

Van Gaal won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995

“When you have a competition it has to be between the champions. I said it 20 years ago and I say it now.

“It is only commercially thinking. When you are thinking like a commercial dealer then of course you are right but I think sport is to win not to be second or third.”

That said, fourth place this season would be a success for van Gaal, who also wants to bring a first piece of silverware since the 2013 league title to Old Trafford.

He added: “It (the top four) is still our aim but our aim is also to win a title and a title is winning the Europa League.

“Manchester United hasn’t won it so it would be fantastic for the club and the fans. Also Manchester United hasn’t won the FA cup for many years and that is also fantastic.

“A title is always more than fourth position but the Champions League is our aim and that is why the Europa League and fourth in the table are important.”

Eighteen-year-old Marcus Rashford is again set to lead United’s attack at West Brom after four goals in his first three games and van Gaal believes his age should be no barrier to possible senior England inclusion.

“It’s never too early. I have said a lot of times, age is not important. It’s the quality,” said van Gaal after England coach Roy Hodgson confirmed the striker is on his radar.